Monday Morning Manna: Thanksgiving as an Ingredient of Prayer

Is it possible that Thanksgiving is more than a holiday – more than turkey, football, family, etc? For many years, people of faith have used the acronym, ACTS as a guide for prayer – “A” being for adoration; “C” being for confession; and “S” being for supplication. The “T” in that acronym stands for Thanksgiving – as demonstrated in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” and in 1 Timothy 2:1 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” Thanksgiving is expressing gratitude for what God has done, is doing, and will do. Thus, we should thank God for what has been done – God saved us, sustained us, provided for us, and brought us to this place. We should thank God for what is presently being done – God is teaching us, strengthening us, and equipping us. And we should thank God for what will be done – God will direct us, protect us, and take us to heaven. Thanksgiving grows by expressing it. One of the marks of Christian growth is the decrease in prayer petitions for self and the increase in thankfulness for what God has done, is doing, and will do. Enjoy Thanksgiving turkey, football and family this week, but don’t forget thankfulness to God.

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford